Scripture Reading:
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven… —Colossians 1:21–23
Fill in the blank:
We must be vigilant to
our
if we are to remain
to the finish.
Hebrews 3:12; Proverbs 4:23; Luke 8:14–15
Hearts
when we stop
to God.
Hebrews 3:7–8; Zechariah 7:11–12
creeps in as we listen to our
.
Hebrews 3:12; Numbers 14:9; Hebrews 10:39
We are
against the enemy’s
when we share the journey
.
Hebrews 3:13; Ephesians 6:16; Galatians 6:2
We will
by keeping our
in
rather than ourselves.
Hebrews 3:14; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:12
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:23–25
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Have you noticed your heart growing hard or distant from God? What steps can you take this week to open it again to his voice?
2. Whose voice are you listening to more often: God’s truth or your own fears?
3. Are you walking closely with others in your faith journey, or trying to go it alone? How can you give and receive encouragement more intentionally?
4. What would it look like for you to hold your confidence in Christ more firmly this week, especially when life gets hard or uncertain?
Referenced Scriptures:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV unless noted otherwise.
Hebrews 3:12–14
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Luke 8:14–15
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Zechariah 7:11–12
11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts.
Numbers 14:9
Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”
Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
2 Timothy 1:12
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.